DmiNG THE RECENT ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



103 



entomologist. It would perhaps be rasli to assert that any ab- 

 solutely new species is represented among them ; but there are 

 forms so peculiar as to necessitate their description as striking 

 varieties, and to warrant the suspicion that they represent a local 

 insect-fauna ; although, before tliis can be asserted as a fact, it 

 will be necessary that the coast all along the west side of Davis 

 Straits be thoroughly examined. The Chrysophanus is perhaps 

 the most remarkable, because it apparently represents a condition 

 of our common C. phloeas rather than of its near American rela- 

 tive, C. americanus. (The peculiarly boreal or alpine genus ChiO' 

 nobas is not in the collection.) When we consider tliat in Lower 

 Greenland only four species have been discovered, and that in Ice- 

 land there are none at all, this result is sufficiently surprising. 

 Their absence from Iceland is somewhat inexplicable ; for Dr. Stau- 

 dinger found 33 species of Lepidoptera (including several minute 

 forms) in that island*. But northern insular faunas appear to be 

 generally poor in Butterflies ; and in proof of tliis, it need only 

 be mentioned that in the British Islands we have but 65 species 

 (and of these, several are more or less casual or sporadic in ap- 

 pearance), whereas Lapland, although so much further north, 

 possesses about 60. The only other especially interesting Lepi- 

 dopterous insect is Dasychira groenlmidica, one of the Bombyces, 

 the hairy larvae of which were found abundantly, of all sizes up 

 to 1| inch in length. 



Many Lepidopterous larvae were found in the stomachs of Gulls 

 and Terns ; many must fall victims to the attacks of parasitic 

 Hymenoptera and Diptera, which there, as everywhere else, 

 infest them. If we combine these conditions with the struggle 

 for existence that must constantly exist with the elements, it be- 

 comes evident that only a small portion can be left to be transformed 

 into the perfect state. 



Capt. Feildeu, in answer to questions, gave me some valuable 

 and interesting information on the habits of Lepidoptera in these 

 latitudes. He informed me that during the short period when 

 there is practically no night, butterflies are continuously on the 

 wing, supposing the sun's face not to be obscured by clouds or 

 passing snow-showers. Furthermore, he told me that about one 

 month in each year is the longest period in which it is possible 



* Four or five species of Butterflies have been recorded from Iceland. No 

 recent visitor to the island has confirmed these reports. Staudinger passed an 

 entire season there in the double capacity of scientific entomologist and collector 

 for sale. 



